6 Reasons the Great American Outdoor Show is a Must-See

6 Reasons GAOS is a Must-See

The NRA’s Great American Outdoor Show can make your outdoor dreams come true.

“Exciting,” “Adventurous,” “Thrilling,” “Inspiring,” and “Educational” are just a few of the words attributed to the annual outdoor pilgrimage to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  It’s like the opening day of the next hunting season, where every game animal can be seen and the details worked out.  I’ve been attending the show in Harrisburg for 40 years because it’s informative and downright fun.

Absolute Adventure- (2)

Nature is the best remedy for today’s crazy world, and few places will immerse you in ways to enjoy the outdoors, like the GAOS, where you will find every hunt your mind can imagine.  Want to stalk a brown bear in Alaska? Cape buffalo in Africa? Bag a giant whitetail in Montana or Canada?  You will meet the people who can make it happen.

Traveling to adventure destinations can be challenging, and you can tap their knowledge for the best times to fly or drive and how to avoid pitfalls that can unexpectedly occur.  On my first night in an African bush camp, I nearly froze and had to dress in every piece of clothing I’d brought.  Heck, I thought Africa was hot.

Conversing with a guide or outfitter may open opportunities you hadn’t considered.  Are there special seasons when prices are reduced?  Additional animals to be hunted that can make a guided hunt more cost-effective? Does the outfitter offer drop or spike camps where you can hunt without a guide?  Having a personal conversation greatly expands your windows of opportunity, something a website can’t do.

Personal Contact (3)

In a world of internet misinformation and website hype, it is so refreshing to speak to the person offering a hunting or fishing trip.  Often, outfitters have mounted specimens of the animals you plan to hunt or catch, frequently life-size.

The outdoor show provides a format to learn much about the hunt of your dreams, and personnel can guide you through the gear you will need, the physical requirements of the trip, which seasons are best, and the likelihood of success.

Due to the length of the show, you have plenty of time to make an informed decision.  Let’s say you have always wanted to hunt elk in Colorado, and you meet an outfitter who seems to have a hunt in your price range.  After speaking to the outfitter, you can take literature home on Monday, check out the website, talk with your friends, perhaps recruit a party, and return on Wednesday afternoon to seal the deal.  In the meantime, you will have thought of additional questions he can answer before things are finalized.  You will leave the show practically counting the days until the hunt arrives, fully confident that you will be well prepared for the hunting conditions you expect.

Insider Information (4)

I began hunting elk in Colorado in the early 1970s and often heard locals speak of “trophy units” where participants killed huge bulls.  For years, I would scratch my head scouring the Colorado regulations booklet looking for “trophy units.”  With experience, I learned that they aren’t labeled as such and only a thorough knowledge of the state’s elk population will reveal where the big bulls live.  You can learn this information from those who hunt the state, province, or country you are considering.

Most states have big game lottery licensing systems in which hunters must apply and rely on luck to draw their names.  Most also have “bonus” or “preference point” systems, increasing the odds of your name being drawn.  For example, I hope to hunt elk in Wyoming next year, a hunt that requires a minimum of three preference points to draw a license.  The outfitter I work with told me the best area and advised me about drawing the permit.

States offer special weapon seasons.  An Arizona rifle elk unit can take nearly a lifetime of trying to draw a license but may be much more attainable during muzzleloading or youth season.  Late seasons also can offer increased odds of drawing a tag because cold temperatures, snow, and difficult access deter many hunters from applying.  By speaking with an outfitter in person, he or she can unlock these less-known avenues to success.

The Latest Gear (5)

The GAOS is like the biggest gun and bow shop in the world.  Are you seeking a new rifle, shotgun, crossbow, or compound?  Here’s a chance to hold the firearm model in your hands, sight down the barrel, and get a real feel for the piece.  Are you undecided about a make or model?  Many of the major firearm manufacturers share their latest products side by side.

Additionally, factory reps are there to answer your questions and help you select the right gun.  When my wife wanted a pistol for self-protection, she tried several brands and models.  Learning that she had difficulty working the slide on an automatic, she opted for a revolver.  No website or magazine ad would have helped her make this decision.  A hands-on experience is always best.

Archers can see the latest compounds and crossbows AND shoot them.  Major manufacturers have booths in the back of the archery arena where you can test which bow works best for you.  A crossbow demonstration at an outdoor show led me to buy a new crossbow that took a nice 8-point whitetail and a 200-pound wild boar a few weeks later.

You can make informed choices about purchases, and many manufacturers offer “show specials” on gear.  Are you interested in a box blind?  Climb in and try it out.   Are you thinking of a new tree stand or hunting with a saddle?  Test one or watch a demonstration.

If you enjoy calling game like deer, elk, turkeys, predators, or waterfowl, the show has an entire arena dedicated to this alluring practice.  Last year, I heard Eddie Salter work on a fantastic new gobble box, and he even autographed it for me.  Now, I have a dynamite turkey call and a cherished keepsake that will become a family heirloom.

Fishing Too (6)

Since the NRA sponsors this event, one might expect that shooting and hunting will be more prevalent than fishing, yet anglers get an entire arena dedicated to the catch.  Don’t be surprised to see a tub of freshly caught steelhead and the full details of how to catch them.  Want to catch a king salmon or giant halibut?  Look for the 100-pound halibut mount hanging from a scale at the Island Point Lodge booth.  Frank Stelmach, the owner of Island Point Lodge, will explain how you can take a weeklong Alaskan adventure where you can fish to your heart’s delight.  My biggest was 115 pounds taken from a 17-foot Lund skiff- the catch of a lifetime.  Check out his website at www.Islandpointlodge.com

The largemouth bass is America’s favorite warm-water game fish; you will see plenty in the huge fish tank. Nationally known anglers will teach you how to catch them while demonstrating favorite lures and fishing tactics.  Professional anglers cast hookless lures, enticing real fish to strike in real-time.  It’s entertaining and educational.

Hunts of a Lifetime (7)

I’ve dreamed of taking my family, including three grandsons, to Africa for a plains game safari for years.  I’m a retired teacher, so how does someone of my kind swing five hunts-of-a-lifetime?  In 2019, I met Ed Rymut of EAI Outdoors at the Show, who advertised a “Family Special” where the entire family could hunt for one set price that included all lodging, guiding, and six animals.

Suddenly, the impossible seemed possible.  I employed all the tips mentioned above, and he agreed to open his camp a week early so my grandkids could hunt over spring break. By flying to Africa in March, our airfare was nearly half the usual price.

The Pandemic occurred, and we had to postpone the trip for three years. However, Rymut agreed to honor the “show special” price.  I told friends about the experience, and we will meet with Rymut this February to prepare for the March safari.  Now, I’ll go on a safari with family and friends.  Instead of relying on e-mail and text messages, I had the chance to review and confirm all the details of my hunt of a lifetime with the satisfaction of a flesh-to-flesh handshake.  I love this Show.

Don’t miss this year’s show, February 1-9.  It’s easy to spend an entire day, but don’t hesitate to attend in the afternoon, as crowds lessen, and it may be easier to take off work.  Find all the details at www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org